Fire damages DOH office

February 13, 2013

PARKERSBURG - No injuries were reported in a fire in the 600 block of Depot Street around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, officials said.

Firefighters were sent to the scene by dispatchers with the Wood County 911 Center in reference to a fire alarm, said Parkersburg fire Chief Eric Taylor. Crews discovered smoke coming from the West Virginia Division of Highways District 3 office at 626 Depot St., officials said.

Taylor said fire crews found a heating and cooling unit on fire. Officials said the fire was contained by the sprinkler system in the building. Firefighters extinguished the remainder of the blaze.

"The fire was contained to the room of origin," said Taylor. "There was some smoke and significant water damage to the furnishing from the sprinkler system activation."

The estimated cost in damages was not immediately known, he said.

Taylor said firefighters remained on the scene for about 90 minutes to determine the cause. Investigators found the point of origin to be the wall-mounted heating and cooling unit, similar to the type found in a motel room, Taylor said.